The Race Against Time

Chapter 12

Brooklyn 

Suddenly I felt an arm being encircled around my body pulling me to the surface. I don't think that it could have been Xander, the river is quite far from the cave we were in. The person held me by my arms and dragged me out of the freezing cold water putting me on the river bank.

"Breathe Brooklyn! Breathe!"

I felt like I was about to pass out but I tried to stay awake. My mouth constantly opened and closed taking in as much air as I could. As I tried to take in air, I began to uncontrollably cough up water. The boy turned me to my side and stroked my back.

After a while, I stopped coughing up water. I regained myself and I now realized that I was only in my undergarments I tried to cover myself with my hands and as if he knew he took my clothes and gave it to me. While he was giving me my clothes, I was going to say thanks Xander however I was met with Lucas' face.

"Omg where did you come from, I thought it was just Xander and me here."

"Well, I didn't splat on the floor and I ended up here, I have no clue how and I just happened to be passing near this river and I saw something bubbling in the water, I didn't even know it was you.

"My goodness, Brooklyn if I wasn't there you could've drowned!"

" You're not the boss of me, none of you are, and I don't even know you why do you care?"

"Xander and I came here and he found me, we were laying low in this cave," I said putting on my jersey and pants.

When I mentioned Xander his face turned to a scowl.

" That was very stupid of you to go in a river by yourself at night, why didn't you just go with Xander," Lucas said.

"Well, I was thirsty and I tried talking to Xander but he just ignored me and called me annoying," I grumbled

"So, you went on your own, mission"

He was silent, he didn't even try answering me. What was wrong with people, why did they think they could control me all the time and tell me what to do like I'm some kind of puppet. I've had quite enough for the night.

Surprisingly the dirt was mellow when I walked on it so it made footprints in the dirt. Now I could find my way back to the cave because I didn't want to be near Lucas right now, he was being the absolute jerk he was at the moment.

I stumped my way back to the cave angry as ever. My pulse hammered against my head and all I could see was red my anger and frustration blinded me and shot out everything else. But I knew that Lucas was hot on my heels right now.

 My clothes stuck to my skin, my hair was a mess now because we already know that water would make it hair frizzy and curly again, and lastly, I felt like garbage, a huge heap of it.

When I neared the entrance of the cave, I saw that Xander was standing in front of it looking stressed. His eyes stared holes in me but then his eyes went to Lucas'. I could see a hint of annoyance in them but it was long gone because his attention was now back to me

"Where the hell have you been Brooklyn, didn't I say that we weren't supposed to go anywhere!" he said shouting at me like a child.

"Oh please Xander I could do whatever I want so just leave me alone and stay to yourself, I'm done putting up with you trying to rule me and tell me what to do, now back off!"

I pushed past him and made sure I bounced him on the way. I went to a corner in the cave and sat down pulling my knee up to my chest. And just like that I broke down and began to cry.

Why couldn't just be at home in bed? Why does my life have to be this way?

 Hot tears cascaded down my cheeks like a waterfall.

If I was home, I would be home alone because Jack's in college and both my parents were on a business trip. They had no time for me, they are always somewhere far away from home and expects me to be the perfect child there is and follow in their footsteps. Little did they know I wasn't perfect at all.

Right now, I needed them the most and they weren't here, they were nowhere near here.

I began to cry, even more, the tears were let free they ran down my cheek. I could taste the saltiness of my tears.

I felt a presence next to me and to be honest I didn't want to talk to Xander either or Lucas.

"Brooklyn, I'm sorry about the way I treated you, are you doing ok?" Lucas asked me.

I was too caught up in my emotions to answer him but I did appreciate that he trying to comfort me.

"I may not know what you are going through right now Brooklyn and I know you don't want to talk right now but I'm just letting you know that I'm here for you and if you need anything just ask.

After he talked to me, he left my side and went to another corner of the cave. Why did he have to be so nice, I thought jocks were supposed to be jerks?

I hope tomorrow we could get out of this place because I don't think I'll survive another day like this. After all, it's draining me.

I know I should've told Xander and Lucas about the drone but I wasn't ready to tell them just yet. 

Hopefully, Yori and the rest of them aren't in my situation right now but it would be nice if Tyler was here. He's my ride or die buddy and I can't do without my best friend for so long, I'm already missing him.

Almost drowning took a lot of energy from me so I was really tired so I closed my eyes and in minutes I fell fast asleep.